John A. Staley passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado, on the morning of February 10, 1893.

He was the oldest son of Jacob and Margaret Staley, of Otter Creek township, Tama Co., (deceased) and brother of Mrs. F. H. Ramsdell, of Richland township, and was born in Allegheny Co., Pa., December 2, 1823. He removed with his parents to Crawford Co, Ohio, in April of 1844; finished his education in Ashland, Richland Co., Ohio; was married in 1847 and soon after accepted a situation as principal of the high school in Newark, Ohio, a position he filled creditably. In 1856, came to Iowa, and settled in Toledo.

During the war of the Rebellion he was a faithful soldier. In the beginning he was one of the first to respond to the call for volunteers by recruiting a company at Toledo, and served as captain in the 29th Iowa Volunteers. Then he was transferred to the command of a company of the Third United States Heavy Artillery, and was afterward appointed to serve in special duty as judge advocate, and later as an officer in the Topographical Corps. After the war he served under government appointment in the Freedman's Bureau. In the year of 1874, he, with his family, went to Colorado where they have since made their home.

During the winter of 1890, while living near Twin Lakes, he suffered from pneumonia and paralysis; he rallied for awhile but did not regain his former health. He went to New Mexico, Arizona, and other places, attended by a daughter, in hope that a change of climate would restore him to his usual good health, but of no avail. Although a man of great energy he had to yield at last. He faltered by the wayside and we trust has gone to that land where sickness and death never enter, and where the weary are at rest.

He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, a genial companion, and obliging neighbor. He leaves a wife and three children and many other near kindred and friends to mourn their loss.

Service was held at the residence conducted by the Rev. Mr. Powelson. Interment was in the Orchard Mesa Cemetery, near Grand Junction, Colorado. A detachment of the G.A.R. Post acted as pallbearers. May the winds blow softly and the flowers bloom o'er the last resting place of the brave soldier. (Toledo Chronicle, Toledo, Iowa)